Toms River National enjoys itself during first Little League World Series practice in Williamsport

Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerToms River National manager Paul Deceglie and his team huddle together before the start of practice this evening.

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- "Incredible." "Crazy." "Amazing."

Those were just a few of the superlatives the 13 Little League all-stars from Toms River National used to describe the Little League International Complex in Williamsport, Pa., the site of the 2010 Little League World Series.

And who could blame them?

With the rolling hills and majestic mountains looming in the background of Howard J. Lamade Stadium, it truly was a surreal atmosphere. Especially for a group of 12-year-olds that compiled a 21-3 record just to get here.

After arriving Wednesday and settling into their new digs -- the infamous grove where they all will most certainly have a blast -- TRN's youngsters took to the fields where they will play their games, Lamade and Volunteer Stadium, for the first time.

And man were these kids having fun.

Once they were finished with the serious end of practice, manager Paul Deceglie began allowing his players to lay out and dive for grounders and fly balls. By the end, they were taking turns flipping balls up in the air at home plate and belting them out onto the hill at Lamade Stadium.

Joey Rose (twice), Kevin Blum and Anthony Deceglie were among those to go deep.

Based on a bet that Deceglie made with all three ($5 per homer), he owes them $20. Given that his team has belted 86 homers in 24 games so far, it was a losing wager from the start.

Patrick Marinaccio, who doubles as the team's slick-fielding shortstop and jokester, took a good-natured ribbing from his teammates for botching a couple of ground balls that went in -- and then out -- of his glove. But he and Russell Petranto combined to turn what was definitely an "ESPN-worthy" double play, with Marinaccio ranging to his left and flipping the ball right out of his glove to Petranto, who barehanded it and fired on to first to complete the twin-killing.

All-in-all, it was great to see the kids relax because things will intensify when they take on Hamilton, Ohio, the Great Lakes Representative, Saturday at 11 a.m. in their first LLWS game.

Make sure to keep it right here on NJ.com for all the latest stories, photos and videos chronicling Toms River National's quest to capture the Little League World Series.